Russell W. Bennett

Russell W. Bennett, 96, of Cedar Rapids, NE, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society, Albion, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 17, 2020, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, NE with Rev. Vern Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, NE. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday at the church.

Memorial are suggested to the family for later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Russell William Bennett, son of Lee C. and Emma H. (Petersen) Bennett was born on May 25, 1923 at Belgrade, NE. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and later transferred to the United Methodist Church. He attended elementary school at a country school in Nance County, attended one year of high school in Belgrade, then graduated from Fullerton High School in 1941.   Following high school Russ started farming.

On August 12, 1947 Russ was united in marriage to Donna M. Cox at Fullerton, NE. They lived in the North Star area for 9 years, before moving to their farm near Cedar Rapids, NE. In 1983 they moved to town. Russ was a farmer and cattle feeder; he retired from farming in 2003 and remained in the cattle business until he was 90 years old. Russ also broke, drove, and traded Belgium horse teams. Sadly, he had to give this up in the mid 2000's. He also enjoyed going to cattle and horse sales, as well as traveling. Russ loved to be around all of the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Russ was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. He also served on the Nance County District 50 School Board, was a 4- H leader, served as president and was a member of the Co-op board, and a member of the Bureau of Reclamation.

Russ is survived by his wife of 72 years Donna of Cedar Rapids, NE; four children: Marlyne F. (Ted) Guthard of Newman Grove; Linda L. (Dar) Zentner and Ray W. (Sharon) Bennett all of Cedar Rapids, NE; Gloria S. (Bill) Zoucha of Columbus, NE; 19 grandchildren: Dan (Tammy) Guthard of Lincoln, NE; Sheila (Dan) Fowlkes of Newman Grove, NE; Sherri (Andy) Zoucha of Albion, NE; Don (Teri) Guthard of Lincoln, NE; Doug (Jen) Guthard and Darren (Renae) Guthard all of Hickman, NE; Dustin (Krissy) Guthard of Petersburg, NE; Dennis (LaVonne) Guthard of Waverly, NE; Daryl (Holly) Guthard and Derrick (Brytt Nelson) Guthard all of Newman Grove, NE; Brian (Shelli) Swerczek and Lara Swerczek all of Cedar Rapids, NE; David (Dee) Zentner of Gothenburg, NE; Jesse (Jennifer Lacy) Zentner of Boulder, WY; Becky (Ben) Thompson of Lexington, KY; Ryan (Erin) Bennett of Omaha, NE; Cameron (Laurie) Zoucha of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Troy (Mario) Zoucha of Phoenix, AZ; Candice (Trevor) Towey of Omaha, NE; 42 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister Margaret Shockey of Riverside, CA; sister-in-law Carol Cox of Grand Island, NE; brother-in-law Darwin Bridgland of Benson, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Emma Bennett; brother and sister-in-law Melvin (Arline) Bennett, brother-in-law Homer Shockey; great-granddaughter Paysen Guthard; In-laws on Donna's side: Francis (Ida) Cox, Tom (Lucille) Cox, Mattie (Vic) Faust, Vernon (Ruby) Cox, Claude (Dorothy) Cox, Ruth (Floyd) Hollman, Lucy Bridgland, Ralph Cox, and Raymond Cox in infancy.